The IOC Responded to the Statement by the Head of Russian Sports Regarding Ukraine's Occupied Territories
The International Olympic Committee responded to a controversial statement by Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev, who referred to the occupied Ukrainian territories as “Russian” and declared his intention to continue sports activities there. The Russian official’s position has sparked yet another international outcry.
“Back in 2024, our Olympic Committee carried out an administrative reform and abolished all 89 Olympic councils in every region of our country. Their abolition didn’t particularly bother anyone—they usually consisted of just two or three activists in each region who were supposedly supposed to promote Olympic values but were actually squandering large sums of money that we are now saving. The fact that four councils from Novorossiya were among these 89 is now being blown out of proportion by our enemies. We have not renounced any territories. The Olympic Committee operates throughout the entire territory of Russia, as enshrined in the Constitution.
Therefore, all of this is nonsense, lies, and provocations. They’re doing this for various reasons—either to rile us up a bit, or simply out of ignorance. So I want to reassure everyone: Crimea is ours, Novorossiya is ours,” Degtyarev stated.
“Glavkom” reached out to the IOC for comment regarding its reaction to Degtyarev’s controversial remarks.
“The IOC will continue to closely monitor the situation regarding any activities by the ROC in these territories and reserves the right to take any further measures if it deems it necessary,” reads the IOC’s response, reports “Glavkom.”
At the FIFA World Cup, which is being held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, both semifinal matchups have been determined. In the first semifinal match, the national teams of France and Spain will face off, while in the other match, the national teams of England and Argentina will compete for a spot in the final.
The first semifinalist was determined yesterday at the World Cup. The French national team confidently defeated Morocco 2–0 and became the first team to secure a spot among the tournament’s top four.
Meanwhile, FIFA has decided to sell fans pieces of turf from the stadium that will host the 2026 World Cup final. Prices will start at $450, and the most expensive collector’s sets will cost up to $3,000.
